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Mast cells drive mesenteric afferent signalling during acute intestinal ischaemia
Author(s) -
Jiang Wen,
Kirkup Anthony J.,
Grundy David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.209478
Subject(s) - degranulation , mast cell , histamine , medicine , ischemia , afferent , inflammation , neuroscience , receptor , immunology , biology
Non‐technical summary Interruption of the blood supply to the intestine (intestinal ischaemia) can lead to severe abdominal pain as a consequence of activation of sensory nerves (afferents) that supply the bowel wall. The mechanisms underlying intestinal afferent sensitivity to ischaemia are not fully understood. This study has examined a role for mast cells in ischaemic afferent sensitivity by recording directly from the afferent nerves that supply a loop of intestine. Mast cells play a role in immune surveillance and are rich in histamine and other mediators that play a key role in inflammatory processes. We demonstrate that by blocking mast cell degranulation or the receptors that mast cell mediators act on, it is possible to attenuate the afferent response to ischaemia. These results increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ischaemic pain and provide a rationale for targeting mast cells as a potential treatment for patients with disrupted intestinal blood supply.